Living Counter-Culturally

In 1 Corinthians 5-7, Paul emphasizes that faith in Jesus is not just about belief but about following Him in how we live, and that true discipleship requires a lifestyle different from the world around us. These chapters provide crucial life applications for Christians seeking to live out their faith in a way that honours God, confronts sin, and builds accountability.

First, faith in Jesus is not synonymous with following Jesus. Believing in Jesus means we are saved by grace, but following Him involves transforming our lives. Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for allowing sin to persist in their midst, saying, “You must remove this evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:13, NLT).

This shows that faith demands action—choosing to live in obedience to Christ, not just claiming faith without change. Following Jesus requires commitment to living a life that reflects His values, not merely a passive belief.

Following Jesus also requires living differently from our culture. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul speaks against sexual immorality, urging believers to “run from sexual sin” (1 Corinthians 6:18, NLT). This command challenges Christians to resist the cultural norms that may embrace sexual freedom without boundaries.

As believers, we are called to honour God with our bodies, recognizing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This means living with sexual purity, integrity, and holiness, even when culture pressures us to conform.

A community that follows Jesus must be accountable to each other. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses marriage and mutual responsibilities, but the broader principle is that believers are to help each other stay on course spiritually.

Accountability isn’t about judgment, but about lovingly guiding one another. Paul calls for discipline within the church, showing that communal accountability is essential for a thriving, Christ-centered community.

Take a moment today to reflect on how following Jesus means living differently, holding each other accountable, and letting our lives reflect our faith.